Students with disabilities need special education and extra care which might not always be available to them. There are many challenges to this, the mindset of people, lack of awareness, shortage of trained teachers and a lot more.
Despite the challenges, there are also many opportunities to improve special education in India. These opportunities include:
Government initiatives: The Indian government has made some significant progress in the field of special education in recent years. The Persons with Disabilities Act (1995) guarantees the right to education for all children with disabilities, and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme provides financial assistance to special schools and inclusive education programmes. The government is also working to increase the number of trained special education teachers and to provide more resources for special education.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) and other organisations: There are many NGOs and other organisations working to improve special education in India. These organisations provide a variety of services, such as education, rehabilitation, and vocational training. They also work to raise awareness about special education and to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
Parents and communities: Parents and communities can play a key role in improving special education in India. They can advocate for their children's rights, raise awareness about special education, and support inclusive education programmes. For example, parents can advocate for their children to be included in mainstream schools, and they can also volunteer their time to help out at special education schools.
